Trolley Tap to begin pedaling around Lafayette in July; West Lafayette routes to follow

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Lafayette's first pedal pub is set to make its debut this month, adding to the entertainment options downtown has to offer.

DaAsia Johnson and William Clay, co-owners of The Trolley Tap, will offer prescheduled, 75-minute-long sessions on the pedal pub for up to 13 people at a time, Johnson said, with the pick-up location for riders at 17 S. Sixth St.

Kicking off rides on July 12, Clay said the pedal pub will host grand opening hours from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Should business pick up and the demand for pedal sessions become greater than slots available, Clay said a second pedal carriage will be waiting in the wings.

"We specifically wanted to choose a market with smaller cities that are big in culture," Clay said. "With Purdue being over in West Lafayette, these two cities already have a rich culture. We saw an opportunity to add to that."

The Trolley Tap will operate out of downtown Lafayette to start, Johnson said, as the business actively works to complete the registration and permitting process required for pedal carriages in West Lafayette.

City attorney Jacque Chosnek said Lafayette does not have any ordinances regulating pedal carriages. Knowing The Trolley Tap would soon begin operations in downtown Lafayette, Chosnek said the city does not plan to create any, either.

The Trolley Tap will operate as a bring-your-own-beverage concept, Johnson said, noting that alcoholic beverages will be permitted on the pedal carriage and that all riders must provide a photo ID before boarding.

Routes for the pedal carriage are planned, Johnson said, but ultimately the bike's path will be up to what riders' interests are for their session.

"There is room for customization," Johnson said. "I think if there is space on the street for us to safely park, it's doable to make stops, but we don't want to hold up traffic."

Individual tickets are $30 per person, Clay said, with private group rentals at $350, having both options for a private experience or a mixed social.

"This is for people who want to get on by themselves, with a few friends, or rent it entirely as a group," Clay said. "Depending on groups' sizes, we will work to pair small groups with other like-size ones, which sort of builds on that sense of community."

Booking for The Trolley Tap is available now at holm.online/thetrolleytap, Johnson said. Patrons interested in updates and promotions for The Trolley Tap can follow along through their Instagram and Facebook pages.

Jillian Ellison is a reporter for the Journal and Courier. She can be reached via email at jellison@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ellison_writes.